Betsy pursed her lips imperiously. ‘I’m well aware of that, which is why I’ve sold another share to Sidney. In exchange for a lump sum – which I’ve used to buy the bungalow with Marjorie – Sidney will be our Master Winemaker.’

I laughed with delight and kissed Sidney’s cheek. ‘That’s fantastic news!’

‘The others have each been given a small share too,’ Betsy continued. ‘So that when we’re making a profit they’ll be rewarded for their loyalty and hard work.’

Sidney’s eyes twinkled. ‘I’ve been bursting to tell you. I’m not going to interfere but we can work on that still wine we were talking about and I’ve got some ideas for pest control I’d like to discuss with you too. But you’re still the boss.’

I grinned. ‘I like the sound of that. And you needn’t worry about maternity cover, Betsy, because I’ll still be able to come over every day from Fernfield with the baby through spring and everyone says they’ll pitch in. And Pippa will be back in February from her travels.’

Pippa had handed her notice in at the library and was spending the winter touring vineyards in New Zealand and Australia. I’d decided to postpone doing a viticulture course for a year, but Pippa was going to do it instead, so Butterworth Wines would still benefit from the new knowledge. Adam and Nicky would be moving out of the Allbright family home in a couple of weeks and I’d have just enough time to get a room ready for the baby before it arrived.

‘No need to be in Fernfield,’ Betsy said with a sniff. ‘I’ll be gone so there’ll be plenty of empty rooms here. A much easier commute, don’t you think?’

I blinked at her. ‘Well, I do think, but—’

‘That’s a relief!’ Marjorie clapped a hand to her chest. ‘Because we’ve already told your father, love, and he’s told his tenants they can stay.’

Jensen and I gazed at each other in amazement.

‘And it’ll be rent-free, of course,’ Betsy continued. ‘Perk of the job. I was going to offer the house to Jensen anyway but, dear boy, I know you’re still firmly rooted in London for the time being.’

‘Actually,’ he scratched his head self-consciously, ‘I’ve resigned. From January I’m going to be setting up my own business.’ He squeezed me to his side. ‘I can be based wherever I like. And I quite like it here.’

This had been entirely his decision, although I might have sown the tiniest seed by suggesting that because he wanted to be around when the baby came, to be a hands-on dad, perhaps now might be a good time to do his own thing, like he’d always planned.

‘Bravo!’ cried Marjorie, punching the air.

‘Well …!’ Betsy gasped, speechless for once.